Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

Imagine not being able to open a door. Answer the phone. Hear a fire alarm. Or even pick up a pencil. Think what it would be like to have people stare of you because you are in a wheelchair. Or feel isolated and along because you are "different". These are the kinds of challenges many people with disabilities face daily.

Put a CCI Canine Companion in the picture, and everything changes. Thanks to the physical tasks the Canine Companion performs, lives are suddenly filled with a new promise and potential.

There are 4 types of CCI dogs:

Service Dogs: They assist adults with physical disabilities by preforming daily tasks.

Hearing Dogs: They alert the deaf and hard of hearing to important sounds.

Facility Dogs: This dogs work with a professional in a visitation, education or health care setting.

Skilled Companions: These dogs enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.

The most advance technology capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities has a cold nose and a warm heart.

I was matched with Andy in December 2014. He was raised by the Steffy family in WA. He was a great working dog who loved to learn new fun things. He could vacuum the floor, fetch a soda from the refrigerator. He was retired right before his 4th birthday due to medical issues. He now lives with his puppy raisers.

Stanford

I was matched with Stanford in 2012. He was an awesome dog and loves to work and learn new things. He died much too soon of a major brain bleed.

I miss my silly big boy

Ellie

My service dog Ellie was my first CCI service dog. I was matched with her in 2005. She was a beauty with a long flowing Golden Retriever coat. She passed away in January of 2011. She had nasal cancer. I miss her more than words can express.